I, Harold Dean Salway, in my capacity as President of the Oglala Lakota Nation, in
order to safeguard the sovereignty of this Nation in the face of imminent and immediate
danger brought about by serious financial and administrative mismanagement and malfeasance
by certain officers and members of the Tribal Council, resulting in the freezing of all
federal program funds, and for other just and good causes, do hereby declare a State of
Emergency as follows:

WHEREAS:

Gross financial mismanagement by certain officers and council members has resulted in
the freezing of all federal program funds to the Oglala Lakota Nation, caused by the
depletion of the tribal treasury, and the unauthorized and unaccounted for financial
transfers, use and loss of tribal funds, thereby creating a serious threat to the
sovereignty, health and welfare of the Oglala Lakota Nation and

By just cause, pursuant to Article 1, Section 1 of the By Laws of our Constitution, I
cannot uphold the unauthorized and unconstitutional actions by certain members of the
Tribal Council in relation to the financial management of the tribal treasury, which has
resulted in an inability of those council members to uphold and honor their oaths of
office, to carry out their duties in a constitutional and culturally respectful manner,
thereby posing a clear and present danger to the sovereignty, health and welfare of the
Oglala Lakota people and

As a result of the above, Elders, and members of the Grassroots Oyate have taken custody
of the Red Cloud building for the purpose of monitoring and preventing the removal or
destruction of all proofs and records concerning the financial state of our Oglala Lakota
Nation, and to safeguard the sovereignty, health and welfare of the Oglala Lakota Nation,
and

The current constitution and bylaws of the Oglala Lakota Nation fail to provide complete
and sufficient guidance for a clear resolution of the current situation, as reflected
further in the inability of the judicial and administrative branches to properly uphold
and protect sovereignty, health and welfare of the Oglala Lakota Nation.

THEREFORE:

In order to protect the sovereignty, health and welfare of the Oglala Lakota people from
the clear and present danger of loss of financial support for food, fuel, education and
other basic human needs,

By the authority of Oglala Lakota tradition and custom as provided by the Elders of the
Oglala Lakota Nation, and by the inherent authority of my position as President and the
chief executive officer of the government of the Oglala Lakota Nation to act to protect,
uphold and secure the sovereignty, health and welfare of the Oglala Lakota Nation and to
respect and further our Oglala Lakota customs and culture,

IT IS HEREBY DECREED,

That the State of Emergency exists in our Oglala Lakota Nation relative to our financial
and governing systems,

That a Special Panel is hereby created to monitor the financial management of the Oglala
Lakota Nation to assure the financial integrity of the tribal treasure, and the lawful and
application of payment o f tribal funds. The Special Panel serves without compensation, to
insure the trust and confidence of the Oglala Lakota Nation. The Special Panel shall
consist of one representative each of the Council of Elders, Grassroots Oyate, the Crazy
Horse Planning Commission, the Executive Committee, the Tribal Council, the judicial
branch, and the Secretary of Interior. The Special Panel may call upon professional or
expert assistance, to serve pro bono, for the proper pursuit of its duties. In order to
insure the financial integrity and full accountability of our system, no financial
transactions in the name of our Oglala Lakota Nation shall occur without the knowledge and
monitoring of the Special Panel.

That the Council of Elders of our Nation, recognized in Treaty and in our traditional
ways be invited and requested to convene at the Red Cloud building, in order to provide to
the President, the Special Panel and any other members of the Oglala Lakota government,
guidance in traditional Oglala Lakota ways, heritage and customs during this State of
Emergency.

The this State of Emergency shall terminate upon the establishment of financial and
governing systems that are responsive and respectful to our Oglala Lakota Nation, the
traditional ways, heritage and customs of our people, and effective to provide for the
sovereignty, health and welfare of our Oglala Lakota Nation, but in any event this State
of Emergency shall terminate no later than the next Constitutional election.